NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team topped Evansville in a doubleheader on Saturday at Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds won game one, 6-3, before taking game two, 8-7.
Second-year sophomore Ryan Cermak was 5-for-6 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs, and four runs scored to power Illinois State (15-22 overall, 6-5 MVC).
Fourth-year sophomore Jake McCaw tallied six hits on the day, including a 4-for-4 outing in game two.
Redbird starting pitchers, second-year freshman Jordan Lussier and fourth-year junior Colin Wyman, combined to throw 10 innings, giving up three runs on 12 hits and one walk while striking out seven.
The Purple Aces (20-17 overall, 5-9 Missouri Valley Conference) got two doubles, a triple, and a home run from Mark Shallenberger in game two.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One
Cermak homered just inside the left field foul pole to get the scoring going in the 2nd inning.
Singles by fourth-year juniors Tyson Hays and Jack Butler put the 'Birds up 3-0 in the 3rd inning before Cermak added a sacrifice fly.
The Aces scored a run in each of the 4th and 6th innings to cut the deficit to 4-2.
RBIs by fifth-year seniors Joe Butler and Jordan Libman in the bottom of the 6th pushed the Redbird lead to 6-2.
UE scored in the 7th and final inning but did not overcome the four-run margin as the game ended at 6-3.
Game Two
The Redbirds scored three times in the 1st inning prior to a two-run blast by Jack Butler in the 3rd inning to extend the lead to 5-0.
Evansville responded scored the game's next six runs to lead 6-5 after five innings.
ISU fought right back, retaking the lead as fourth-year junior Nick Gile singled up the middle to put the 'Birds up 7-6.
Cermak blasted a solo home run in the 7th inning to push the lead to 8-6.
Second-year freshman Erik Kubiatowicz did not concede an earned run en route to recording the two-inning save.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Game One
- Each Redbird batter reached base—eight Redbirds recorded at least one hit.
- Cermak's home run was 103 MPH off the bat while his double was 109 MPH off the bat.
- Joe Butler recorded his 100th career RBI with a single to left-center field.
Game Two
- Jack Butler extended his hitting streak to 15 games.
- Cermak had a 103 MPH single and his home run was 99 MPH and 382 feet.
- McCaw's four hits were the time first time a Redbird batter has recorded four hits in a game this season. The Redbirds have had 18 games in which a batter has had three hits in 2021.
- Wyman made his first collegiate start (including his time at Navarro College)
UP NEXT
Illinois State will face Evansville in single game on Sunday to close the series. The game will be on ESPN3.
For the latest updates on Illinois State Baseball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (isuredbirdbaseball), and like the team on Facebook (Illinois State Baseball).
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